Breast cancer support for Vietnamese women; in Vietnam and in Australia (#1087)

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA)
is the peak national organisation for people affected by breast cancer, representing
more than 90,000 individual members across Australia. BCNA supports, informs,
represents and connects people whose lives have been affected by breast cancer.
Following research and consultation in 2012, BCNA has developed a strategy that
will provide accessible and appropriate information and support to women with
breast cancer from diverse cultural backgrounds.

In November 2012, Thuong Sobey was
diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. Concerned about the lack of resources
for women diagnosed with breast cancer in Vietnam and inspired by the resources
of BCNA, Thuong established Breast Cancer Network Vietnam (BCNV).

Aim:

BCNV aims to provide education,
information and social support to Vietnamese people affected by breast cancer
and to raise awareness of breast cancer in Vietnam. As a part of the BCNA
Cultural Diversity strategy, BCNA aims to provide breast cancer information and
support to women with breast cancer from diverse cultural backgrounds,
including Vietnamese women.

Strategy/Tactics:

Together, BCNV and BCNA collaborate to
strengthen the capacity of BCNV and the Cultural Diversity Program of BCNA to
provide support to Vietnamese women affected by breast cancer in both Australia
and Vietnam. Joining forces and
accelerating progress.

Programme/Policy Process:

BCNV and BCNA work together
strategically to share and adapt relevant information and programs and to
translate relevant resources.

Outcomes/What was learned:

Information
and support provided to women diagnosed with breast cancer in Vietnam through
establishment of BCNV

BCNA
resources made available to BCNV for translation and use in Vietnam